Sunday, April 26, 2015

Friday, April 17, 2015

Reading Reflection #11

Reading Reflection #11

1. Teacher's and student's both benefit from Project-based learning approach. For students, PBL can help them:
-become more engaged in their learning
-help understand project management
-learn from previous knowledge
-learn to apply information in future learning
-meet deadlines
-work with a global audience
-reflecting on projects
-be independent and build confidence
For teachers:
-have the chance to watch their students grow in their learning
-communicate while reflecting on projects and completed work
-sharing class ideas with other teachers
-always do their best to become better then they are.
Project-based learning is beneficial for both teachers and students and it is something I hope to use in my future classroom!

2. Starting and finishing a project is a big accomplishment. Just because it is finished, does not mean that it should be said aside. Finishing a project should leave students with memories and ideas that can help them on their next journey. Reflecting on projects is so important because it helps look back and expand knowledge on future projects while celebrating students' work and moving on to the next exciting thing.

3. This chapter wraps up everything like we are doing in class now. It is important to look back on Project based learning and why it is so important in the classroom. Once our projects in our classroom are finished, we will reflect and be proud of what we accomplished. This chapter does a good job wrapping our semester up along with giving advice on what students should take away from projects and how to finish a project strong with meaning.

Chapter 11

1. Project based learning brings the classroom community closer together, allows students to take charge of their own learning, and puts student learning in a real- world context.

2. A teacher can bring her project based learning home by ending with an event that allows students to reflect on what they have learned. As teachers we should reflect on what went well and what did not go so well for next time. Teachers should then make it connect to the next unit so that the transition goes smoothly.

3. I feel that with out farmers' market and follow up celebration our students will end their project successfully. The money the students earn will be used for further learning. Our students will take many pictures as well as learn a lot through experience during our unit plan.

Reading Reflection #11

1) As a result of project based learning, you feel more connected to your students. It's as if you guys have gone on an adventure together. The students will have also learned more than they would have if they had simply read about something such as gardening from a book. By actually doing a project, what they have learned will click and stick for them. 2) Bringing home your project can occur in many ways. You will want to make sure that you capitalize on all of the time that you have put into planning this and make any changes that need to be made before the next time you implement this project. You will also want to share your insights with other teachers so that maybe they too can learn from your project. Finally, you can simply sit back and enjoy the journey. Look at how far you have come and how much further it is possible to go. 3) This connects to our topic because we are nearing the point ourselves where we are getting ready to wrap up the project and 'bring it home'. Our students will have been working on their garden throughout this unit and they will now be getting ready to host their farmers market. After that, it's the end and it will be time to move on to the next great adventure with the kids.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Reading Reflection 10

1) Setting aside time for reflection is critical in the classroom. By doing this, we are allowing the children to think about things they may have never thought about otherwise. They are able to make better connections and can even help them to realize that they now know more than they thought they did.

2) Reflecting is meant to be a positive thing for both the students and the teacher. Through reflections, the teacher is able to see just how much the students really learned. They are also able to better help steer the students in a better direction for projects.

3) Schools can build traditions and identity through various programs and projects. What is your school known for? Personally, my high school was known in the area for it's band. We always got medals during competitions. Building traditions and identity is a great way for the schools to grow and for the community to feel involved and have pride.

4) Celebrating a project is a wonderful way of acknowledging just how much a student has put into their work. In our project, our farmers market will be a way of celebrating our students learning and seeing just how far they have come during this project.

5) Throughout our project, we will have the students reflect so that we can see what they have learned. We want to make sure that they are on track and actually getting what they should be out of the project. At the end, we also plan to celebrate our students learning with the farmers market which will be open for others outside of our classroom to attend.